Devastating Patriots Day Trailer Delivers An Explosion, A Manhunt, And The Healing

Mark Wahlberg and his frequent collaborator, director Peter Berg, are having a productive year. In October, they shined a light on the heroic acts of a precious few aboard the oil-drilling rig Deepwater Horizon. Next, they'll turn their attentions to the manhunt that followed the vicious Boston Marathon Bombing in April 2013. Patriots Day teased audiences of what's to come with an earlier trailer, but this full reel shows exactly where Wahlberg and Berg are heading with their upcoming drama.

This new Patriots Daytrailer paints the full picture. It shows the devastating events of he attack, which occurred at the finish line of the annual marathon. But it also takes the next steps, following the investigation as it paralyzed Boston and its surrounding communities, for a manhunt that involved local law enforcement and our own government officials, as we tried to assess the threat level on a national scope.

This is where Peter Berg comes in. From movies like Deepwater Horizon to Lone Survivor (both with Mark Wahlberg), the director understands how to keep his focus on blue-collar "regular" people, even as they contend with irregular circumstances. This trailer for Patriots Day suggests that the movie won't shy away from the anger, hurt and, yes, hate that bubbled up in Massachusetts following this bombing. I'm actually a little surprised that the movie trailer gets away with the line "You ain't got shit, sweetheart" when a suspects demands that they have rights to a lawyer.

CBS Films hopes that Patriots Day has enough courage, human drama, political tension and heartfelt release to earn it a handful of Oscar nominations, including the top two biggest trophies for Best Picture and Best Director. And honestly, after viewing this trailer, I'd suggest that it has a very good chance of contending. Mark Wahlberg and Peter Berg are improving every time that they approach one of these American Underdog dramas, and if Patriots Day can be half as engrossing, level-headed and heroic as Deepwater Horizon, then audiences (and Academy members) would do well to sit up and take notice later this year.

Patriots Day reaches theaters in limited release on December 21, so it can contend for awards. It will open wider on January 13, 2017. In addition to Wahlberg, the Boston Marathon drama co-stars Michelle Monaghan, JK Simmons, Kevin Bacon and John Goodman. What do you think of this full trailer? Is this a movie that you think you will check out on the big screen? Weigh in below and let us know.